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Osimhen’s Caf 2022 Player of the Year Award omission shocked Udeze

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Osimhen’s Caf 2022 Player of the Year Award omission shocked Udeze

The 41-year-old former Super Eagle has now advised the 23-year-old forward to focus on the new season instead of thinking about the incident

Ex-Nigeria defender Ifeanyi Udeze has revealed he was surprised to learn Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was not considered for the Caf Men’s Player of the Year Award for the past season.

The 23-year-old forward has been terrific in Serie A where he scored 14 goals and provided two assists as the Naples outfit finished in the Uefa Champions League places.

He, however, missed the Afcon held in Cameroon earlier this year owing to an injury. In the provisional nominations list released a couple of days ago, Moses Simon was the only Nigeria international nominated and Udeze is not amused.

“It was a surprise to me that Osimhen’s name was not on that list, there was a 30-man shortlist and his name was not there, I was shocked,” the now 41-year-old told Punch.

“I don’t know the criteria they are using for the nominations. I feel Osimhen was not on that list because he did not go for the African Cup of Nations and this affected his judgement.

“Moses was on that list because he performed for Nigeria in the Afcon, and he also helped his club [Nantes] side to win a cup at least.”

Udeze has now advised Osimhen not to think about his omission and focus on the new season.

“I think Osimhen should just take that off his mind and work towards the new season and you never can tell, I’ll just wish him all the very best,” he added.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games silver medalist Femi Ajilore felt Osimhen should have been nominated even if he wasn’t going to win the award.

“I would have wished Osimhen was among the nominees but I don’t know the criteria they used in picking those players,” the former midfielder opined.

“He has done so well and is the best young player in the Italian league. If a player can win the best young player in Serie A, it shows that he has a lot of potential, and when you look at the national level, he is one of our best at the moment, and for that reason, I think he deserves a spot and even if he doesn’t win it, at least, it’s a recognition of what he is doing.”

Osimhen has been linked to several top clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United.

Banyana Banyana coach Ellis hails Super Falcons ahead of titanic 2022 Wafcon clash

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Banyana Banyana coach Ellis hails Super Falcons ahead of titanic 2022 Wafcon clash

The 59-year-old tactician made it known that her side wants to start well when they face the defending champions and tournament favourites

South Africa women’s national team head coach Desiree Ellis has hailed their Nigerian counterparts as one of the best ahead of their eagerly-anticipated clash.

Banyana Banyana are set to square off with the Super Falcons in their opening 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Group C match at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, Morocco on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Ellis emphasized the importance of getting a good result in the opening game of the competition and praised their opponents.

“It’s all about the three points at the moment and getting the tournament to a good start,” Ellis, who is a former Banyana captain, said.

“The first game of the tournament is always the biggest game and this makes it even better because it’s against defending champions Nigeria and because it is Nigeria, the game is bigger than what it is supposed to be.”

The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 4-2 win in favour of Banyana as they claimed the Aisha Buhari Cup title in Nigeria, but Ellis is expecting a difficult match.

“We want to start well and we know it is going to be a tough encounter. They are not Champions for nothing,” she added.

“They have been consistent over the years and that is one area that we need to improve on; to be consistent in our performances and be classified amongst the best.”

Group C also features Burundi and Botswana who will meet at the same venue after the clash between Banyana and Falcons on Monday.

Banyana’s Ellis eyes Super Falcons scalp
Can Banyana start their 2022 Wafcon campaign with a win over Nigeria?

 

 

 

Done Deal: Akolo seals move to St. Gallen

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Done Deal: Akolo seals move to St. Gallen

FC St. Gallen 1879 have announced the signing of winger Chadrac Akolo from Amiens SC.

The 27-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo player has left the French Ligue 2 side for the Swiss outfit after agreeing to pen a two-year contract.

“FC St.Gallen 1879 has strengthened its offensive line with the signing of Chadrac Akolo,” the club confirmed on their official website. “The 27-year-old joins from French Ligue 2 club Amiens and has signed a contract until the summer of 2024.

“The two clubs have agreed not to disclose the amount of the transfer fee. He gets the jersey number 77.”

The statement continued: “Akolo was born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1995 and came to Switzerland as a refugee at the age of 14.

“He came to FC Sion via FC Bex, where he made his professional debut in 2014 – in the Kybunpark. In the 2016-17 season, in which he scored 15 goals in 34 Super League games, his coach was Peter Zeidler.

“In 2017, Akolo moved to VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, two years later he joined Amiens [then still in Ligue 1]. He spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at SC Paderborn in the 2nd Bundesliga.

“He scored ten competitive goals for Amiens last season [six in the league, four in the cup]. For the Congolese national team, he had featured in 20 international matches.”

St. Gallen Sports Director Alain Sutter explained why they signed the player: “Chadrac (Akolo) is a real reinforcement for our team. He can play in different positions in attack, he is technically strong, and he has good ball control and a developed sense of goal.

“He has also acquired a lot of experience from which our young team can benefit.”

Akolo made his debut for DR Congo in a 2-2 draw against Tunisia in their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualification tie on September 5, 2017.

Gabriel Jesus breaks silence ahead of Arsenal’s move

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Gabriel Jesus breaks silence ahead of Arsenal’s move

Gabriel Jesus is set to become Arsenal’s new striker following a £45m agreement between Manchester City and Mikel Arteta’s side.
The 25-year-old completed his medical on Tuesday after arriving London from Manchester and is now awaiting an official announcement.
The Brazilian international was pictured with an Arsenal fan, Charlie Woollard, who spoke with him briefly and revealed how excited he is to join Arsenal.
“I am so excited,” Gabriel Jesus answered when asked about the new chapter.
Gabriel Jesus was Mikel Arteta’s primary striker target this season after the free departure of former striker Alexandre Lacazette to Lyon.
Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s sporting director, has held lengthy talks with Manchester City and his camp about a move to London before reaching an agreement on their second bid.
Gabriel Jesus is set to become Arsenal’s fourth signing in the current summer transfer window after Marqininhos, Fabio Vieira, and Matt Turner.

Image of Manchester City's striker Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus scored 13 goals in all competitions for Manchester City last season

His imminent arrival will put an end to Arsenal’s long-term striker search, having missed out on Serbian Dusan Vlahovic, who joined Juventus in the last January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta appears to have gotten what he wanted in a striker after revealing last season that he wanted to sign a young, gifted striker that could adapt to his young team.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has known Gabriel Jesus since his time at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager, which would help his adaptation at the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a six-year spell in the Premier League with Manchester City since he joined Pep Guardiola’s side in August 2016, making 236 appearances with 95 goals in all competitions for the Citizens.

The gifted striker demanded a transfer away due to Manchester City’s pursuit of top Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who has joined the Premier League Champions from Borrusia Dortmund.
Jesus knew he would have limited playing time next season, which prompted his transfer request, allowing Arsenal to secure his signature.
Arsenal lacked a goal poacher last season, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah falling short of expectations. They will be excited to see Jesus lead their front line when the Premier League kicks off in August.
Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, hopes to start his Arsenal career with a bang by leading the Gunners to a Champions League spot.

Neymar posts euphoric vacation photos amid Chelsea link

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Neymar posts euphoric vacation photos amid Chelsea link
The Talented Brazilian forward has come under criticism in the past few seasons following his underperformance, failing to meet expectations since joining the French side.

Neymar, who left Barcelona for a record fee of €222m in 2017, believing he was under the shadow of Lionel Messi, seems to have been graced by a giant shadow in Paris Saint-Germain.

The 30-year-old has fallen in the pecking order in the eyes of the fans, rated below young French star Kylian Mbappé, who has consistently delivered for the Ligue 1 champions.

Since moving to Parc des Princes, Neymar has scored 100 goals in all competitions for the Les Parisiens, less than Mbappé’s 171.

Despite making 144 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, the gifted attacker has drawn criticism from many pundits and has been labelled an inconsistent player.

Neymar is linked with moving away from the French club this summer, with reports mentioning Chelsea as his next destination.

Image of Neymar and his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi

The Brazilian international appears unfazed by the news surrounding his future after posting a photo of himself on vacation with a Brazilian sprinter, Paulo Andre, and his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi, with the caption, “The most beautiful little blacks in Brazil.”

According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain is open to selling Neymar at a fair bargain, which has linked him with a move to Chelsea, guided by his former manager, Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea wants to bolster their attacking options this summer following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on a season-long loan.

The Premier League club endured a mixed season without a goal poacher after Romelu Lukaku failed to deliver for the Blues on his return from Inter Milan for a £97.5m record fee.

After missing out on trophies and losing two finals against Liverpool last season, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is looking for attackers to help his team compete in the coming campaign.

The Premier League club is currently pushing to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha after hijacking the deal from Arsenal, who were considered the front runners to submit a £60m bid for the Brazilian, which the club has accepted.

Chelsea are also in advanced talks with Manchester City for England’s winger Raheem Sterling, and Neymar has appeared as the third player to be linked with Chelsea.

Chelsea are in need ot players that can score goals to compete with other clubs, and Neymar could be the ideal player for Thomas Tuchel’s side if he stays fit.

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